PFA to launch beverages sample collecting drive from April 10

LAHORE: Punjab Food Authority (PFA) will collect beverages samples across the Punjab from April 10 in order to ensure the quality of drinks and to verify the micronutrients/ ingredients into food articles.

In this regard, PFA Director General Noor ul Amin Mengal said that PFA has informed all beverages production companies about sampling date through notice. This drive is part of periodic schedule for sampling of products. He said that PFA will collect samples for laboratory test from open market in the presence of company’s representatives by following blind-sampling method throughout the province. All samples will sent to ISOs and Pakistan Certified Councils certified laboratories for laboratory test. He said that PFA has set all arrangements and comprehensive plan for it.

Further, in a province-wide crackdown, Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has sealed 43 food businesses (including ice factories, hotels, general stores, water filtration plants, juice factory, and bakeries) for not to following the PFA’s instructions and using poor quality products in the preparation of food on Thursday. As many as 160 Food Business Operators (FBOs) were charged with heavy fine tickets of Rs743100.

On the directions of PFA Director General Noor ul Amin Mengal, Food Safety Teams (FSTs) under the supervision of Food Safety officers have raided on several food points and inspected the food quality. The purpose of the crackdown was to inspect the quality of food products and ensure the implementation of food law. PFA is fully committed to ensure hygiene food in Punjab as per “Healthy Punjab” mission under its slogan “From Farm to Fork”.

In Lahore, PFA’s watchdogs have shutter down 2 ice factories, water filtration plant and juice factory on failure to meet food standards and unhygienic working environment during raid. Besides, PFA also stopped the production of four food businesses by serving Emergency Prohibition Orders.

According to details, raiding teams have shutter down 15 food points in Gujranwala, 10 in Gujranwala, six in Rawalpindi, five in DG Khan, one in Faisalabad and two in Sargodha divisions. Authority also imposed fine of Rs179500 on 20 food points in Lahore, Rs171000 fine on 35 shops in Rawalpindi, Rs207000 fine on 20 food outlets in, Rs291000 on 41 eateries in Gujranwala, 7500 in Bahawalpur and Rs216500 fine on 26 food points in Faisalabad. Fine was imposed for not complying with the PFA’s instructions.

PFA has served warning notices to dozen of food points over minor violation and directed them to improve the quality, during raids. The crackdown will continue till the elimination of adulterates and ensure the availability and supply of healthy food in Punjab.